Father’s Arms: A Wonderful Place To Grow Up

We all know that there are few places that are as safe, loving and important for a child’s development as their mother’s arms. But what about their father’s arms ?

Even though men do not breastfeed or give birth, their closeness, love, voice, father’s arms and even their skin are incredibly important aspects for a newborn baby.

Today, hundreds of hospitals have integrated wonderful birth protocols such as the kangaroo method.

For example, the father has the choice to practice the kangaroo method, while the mother still recovers from the anesthesia after a caesarean section. 

With a bit of embarrassment, excitement and a little fear, they take off their sweater and have their newborn baby put on their chest.

There are few visions as soothing as that image. The newborn regulates his temperature, relieves stress and has his first skin-to-skin contact with a person who will be a big part of their life.

This initiative should undoubtedly be carried out in all hospitals. A father’s arms become a safe, warm and important place in the baby’s life.

We invite you to explore this topic a little more closely.

Growing up in dad’s arms

Much can be said about the hormonal changes that women experience during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We all know about it, and many readers have certainly experienced exactly the same thing.

The father’s brain also experiences its own hormonal and emotional carousel during the same process. 

Less testosterone during the parenting role

This is interesting information. According to a study conducted at Northwestern University of Illinois in the United States, testosterone levels are significantly reduced when a man becomes a father.

• This hormone fulfills its function during courtship, passion and intimacy. It is at its peak during the first moments of seduction where each person has to do their best to attract the other.
• But when couples begin the pregnancy process and the woman finally gives birth, then the father’s brain needs less testosterone. Their only function now is to guarantee their child’s safety and survival, take care of them and take care of them.

The “mother instinct” is not just for women

We are all very much born with the natural instinct to give our children care, attention and love.

You can spend a large part of your life believing that it does not fit, but the act of birth and having your little baby in your arms activates what is known as the “fatherhood network”.

• Brain structures such as the tonsil nucleus, insula and nucleus accumbens participate in this internal circuit.

• It is almost a “primitive” instinct for women. But men develop this process by feeling the closeness of their baby.
• According to studies conducted by the University of Bar-Ilan in Israel, a man’s brain becomes more “motherly” if he is responsible for several things in the home.

Aspects such as co-sleeping with the baby, giving them a bottle, feeding them or rocking them in the father’s arms reinforce this instinct. 

On dad’s skin

We know that the skin-to-skin method is just as beneficial if the father has the baby on his chest. This amazing contact will always be better than a cradle. It will always relieve more fear than a single sheet can.

The kangaroo method is no longer just for mothers, because nowadays fathers know that they are more than just the audience. 

Raising a child requires cooperation; while the mother is breastfeeding, the father can offer his chest where the baby can sleep so that they can feel the security of a heart that will always be by their side.

They have one who will protect them from all dangers, who will encourage them to achieve all their dreams.

Many studies even promote the need to perform this delicate art of love and care when caring for premature babies.

• It regulates temperature and breathing
• Reduces infections
• Favors neuron maturity
• Increases the quality of the baby’s rest
• Increases tactile, auditory and movement stimuli.
• Favors weight gain
• The baby will cry less and better adapt to life outside the womb

We know that one always talks about the importance of the mother in the baby’s life, especially in the first stage, when the baby only needs three things: breast milk, love and routines.

Apart from breastfeeding, the father can perform all other tasks. He can also contribute to the healthy development of their children with his hugs, love and attention. 

Let us all be active protagonists in the upbringing of our children: mothers and fathers.